Shoppers returning to Moor Market

Another successful year looks to be in store for Sheffield’s Moor Market, with latest figures showing a six per cent increase in shoppers in 2016, compared to 2015.

Last year was a great year for the market, which is home to more than 90 independent traders, with almost three million shopping visits for the year as a whole.

The Moor Market’s success is due to the quality of the produce and the hard work of traders and the markets team, as well as one of the best events and marketing programmes around, hosting attractions such as BBC Music Day, the Tramlines music festival, the Youdan Trophy exhibition, monthly vintage fairs and the Snow Queen and Jack Frost experience for children last Christmas.

A partnership with the University of Sheffield has also seen the market host many of the university’s events including Festival of the Mind, Festival Of Life and the recent Sheffield Says.

Councillor Mary Lea, cabinet member for culture, sport and leisure at Sheffield City Council, said: “I’d really like to commend the collective passion of the traders, who have worked together to put the fun back into the market and have also raised lots of money for local charities in the process.

“The Moor Market boasts an excellent mix of independent retailers providing quality, experience and value. I would urge anyone who hasn’t visited before to pop in for fresh produce, locally-sourced meat and quality gifts, clothes and crafts from independent traders.”

The wider Moor area is currently being redeveloped, and a plan is underway to further improve the market for traders and customers alike, so that the Moor Market is ready for when the nearby regeneration works are completed.

This includes the opening of new shops and the creation of the Light entertainment complex, which is set to open in March with a multi-screen cinema and restaurants, alongside the new flagship Primark store.

While these redevelopment works are ongoing, in order to give traders further help in what the authority knows are challenging conditions, Sheffield City Council has agreed to extend the existing 50 per cent discount for a further six months, from April 2017.

Coun Lea added: “While the Moor Market is bouncing back after a number of difficult years, we know there is still lots of work to do.

“This is to not only ensure that the market survives, but also grows and evolves as the wider Moor shopping area does.

“We hope this continuation of the rent discount will give traders an additional boost, while we continue with the business plan to attract even more customers and make the Moor Market into an increasingly busy, thriving and successful shopping environment.”